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Defenders in Action: Five Questions for Jeff Corwin
Jeff Corwin has been working for decades to conserve endangered wildlife, and his passion for the natural world shines through in the show he produces and hosts for television's Animal Planet, "The Jeff Corwin Experience." In 2004, Corwin joined the board of directors of Defenders of Wildlife. Recently, he and Olympic gold-medal swimmer Amanda Beard taped separate public service announcements for Defenders that are now airing on television stations nationwide.
Q. How did you get interested in wildlife?
A. I have always had an interest in wildlife, at a passionate level-- especially when it comes to reptiles and amphibians. Growing up, my family cultivated my interest in the natural world, and they were instrumental in getting me to where I am today. I have a distinct memory of my first encounter with a wild creature; it was with a 2-foot-long garter snake when I was six years old. I vividly remember that exciting discovery as if it had happened yesterday.
Q. What inspires you most about wildlife and your journeys in the natural world?
A. I have learned that to fully admire and appreciate the natural world, one must recognize that no one creature is greater than another. All species are significant and have earned a place at the table of life. Thus I get great joy from moments with wildlife at every level, whether identifying tadpoles in a local pond with my daughter Maya or tracking wild chimpanzees in Uganda as they hunt for colobus monkeys. I am lucky that as a naturalist, I have a job I love, thus I never have to "work."
Q. What's the most dangerous encounter you've ever had with a wild creature?
A. It's hard to pick just one; in my career, there have been a number of close calls. I'll never forget the terror, excitement and thrill of trying to outmaneuver a charging herd of elephants in Borneo or coming face to face with a 17-foot Nile crocodile that had made a meal of four people. There was also the first-time moment of seeing a cheetah take an antelope or when I encountered a 12-foot-long wild king cobra along a slippery waterfall in Bali. As far as dangerous moments with wildlife, 99 percent of the time it is the result of human error.
Q. What do you think about the U.S. government's commitment to species conservation?
A. I am concerned that our country lacks a serious commitment to species conservation. We dropped out of the Kyoto Protocol [for curtailing global warming], which could have serious consequences for all species, including man. Our commitment to upholding the ideals of the Endangered Species Act seems to have slipped as well in recent years. The Endangered Species Act is an incredibly important tool for species conservation; without it, we'd have lost so many beautiful species already.
Q. What is your favorite part of being involved with Defenders?
A. I am impressed by Defenders' commitment to addressing today's conservation challenges using innovative solutions. They also recognize the importance of bringing together local stakeholders to solve regional conservation problems. It's really the best way to conserve species for future generations.
